Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First Impressions
I first read Bad Manners by Amy Beashel as an advance reader copy (ARC) on NetGalley, thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I was drawn to the striking cover and the promise of an emotionally charged family drama told through three distinct points of view: a teenage girl, her mother, and her father. Knowing Beashel’s reputation for tackling difficult, timely subjects, I expected a sharp and thoughtful exploration of family tensions and personal identity — and it delivered.

✅ What I Liked
The emotional depth in the women’s perspectives is the novel’s strongest point. The teenage daughter’s fury and vulnerability alongside the mother’s guilt, weariness, and resilience create a raw, honest portrayal of womanhood under family strain. I particularly admired how the father’s first-person chapters contrast with the women’s third-person sections, emphasizing his isolation and narrow focus while the women carry the emotional weight of the household. Beashel’s writing is fearless and current, unafraid to dig into the messiness of family life, gender expectations, and modern frustrations. There’s a sharpness in her observations that kept me engaged throughout, even when the emotions became uncomfortable or intense.

❎ What Didn’t Work for Me
At times, the narrative shifted scenes or locations without enough clear markers, which occasionally left me flipping back to check if I’d missed something. While the characters felt vivid, the daughter’s intensity sometimes overwhelmed the page, making it harder to stay emotionally connected. I also wished the side characters had been given more complexity, as they sometimes felt like background figures rather than fully developed people.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book
If you’re drawn to emotionally complex, character-driven novels that center the experiences of women navigating family dynamics, Bad Manners is a strong choice. Beashel’s bold, unflinching style challenges the reader to sit with discomfort, offering a timely exploration of anger, silence, and misunderstanding. This is a great pick for readers who appreciate feminist themes, layered emotional storytelling, and fiction that asks hard questions without neat answers.

💭 Overall Thoughts
Bad Manners is a fierce and emotionally resonant family drama, powered by the voices of women trying to hold themselves together in a world that keeps pulling them apart. Beashel delivers a raw, timely story that lingers in the mind and heart long after the last page. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s a deeply worthwhile one for those who appreciate honest, challenging fiction.

Final Thoughts: ★★★☆☆½ – Smart, sharp, and emotionally charged — Bad Manners delivers plenty of punch, even if a few rough edges hold it back.

🛍️ Where to Buy

You can purchase ‘Bad Manners’ by Amy Beashel you can visit the Harper Collins website for links here or buy for kindle here